Karnah, July 4 (JKNS): The growing menace of drug smuggling and its expanding network in the border subdivision of Karnah has become a matter of serious concern among local residents.
While the arrest of two individuals in two separate anti-narcotics operations over the past two days has been welcomed as evidence of the vigilance and efficiency of the police and other security agencies, people are also questioning when this menace will be completely eradicated from the region.
According to local residents, a handful of unscrupulous individuals involved in drug trafficking are tarnishing the reputation of the entire area. They said that the activities of such elements compel law enforcement agencies to tighten security measures, forcing ordinary citizens to undergo additional checks and frisking during travel, particularly while crossing the Sadhna Pass, causing inconvenience to the general public.
Residents acknowledged that security checks are essential for maintaining public safety. However, they lamented that the unlawful actions of a few criminals result in hardships for innocent people across the region.
Locals also expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of drug abuse on the younger generation, describing it as a social evil that is destroying the future of many youths and affecting numerous families. They urged parents, educational institutions, religious leaders, and social organizations to work together to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of narcotics and to protect young people from falling prey to addiction.
Chairman Civil Society karnah, S.D. Qureshi, and social and political activist Mohammad Hafeez Mir urged the district administration, police, and other concerned agencies to intensify their crackdown on drug smugglers and dismantle the networks operating in the region without discrimination. They said that only sustained and strict enforcement can free Karnah from the scourge of narcotics and safeguard the future of its youth.
They further observed that individuals arrested for drug smuggling are often released after a period of imprisonment and eventually return to the same illegal activities. According to them, this creates the perception that those involved in narcotics trafficking can eventually regain their freedom, thereby encouraging others to engage in similar crimes.
They appealed to the administration and security agencies to ensure the strictest possible legal action against those found guilty of drug smuggling and emphasized that no leniency should be shown in such cases. They argued that severe punishment would serve as a strong deterrent and help protect society from the growing drug menace. (JKNS)
